Agricultural machine



Oct. 10, 1933.

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Oct. 10, 1933. w` w. MEYER AGRICULTURAL MACHINE Filed NGV. 16, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 MMM-r @H0114 m o.

Oct. l0, 1933. w w MEYER 1,930,015

AGRI CULTURAL NACHI NE Filed Nov. 16, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 65 f F f G. 65

7@ 62 ML75-,Q x44 ME ref? Y l l r @Wozu m o.

Oct. 10, 1933. w w MEYER 1,930,015

AGRICULTURAL MACHINE Filed NOV. 16, 1931 /c-f G. 9. /2 4 l 33 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Il YF j l,

MLV-ef? I4( /17'5 VEA? Oct. l0, 1933. w. w. MEYER AGRICULTURAL MACHINE Filed Nov. 16, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 @Howe/ido.

oct. 10, 1933. w w. MEYER AGRICULTURAL MACHINE Filed NOV. 16. 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 @Worm m 0.

Oct. 10, 1933.

W. W. MEYER AGRICULTURAL MACHINE Filed Nov. 16, 1931 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Patented Got. 10, 1933 UNETE STA'IES AGRICULTURAL MACHINE Walter W. Meyer, Rhinelander, Wis., assigner of one-fourth to Ervin 0. Gilmore, Crandcn, Wls.

Application November 16, 1931 Serial No. 575,316

Claims.

This invention has reference to agricultural machines, and more particularly to machines designed ior use in exterminating noxious vegetation, such as quack grass, yellow dock, loco weeds and the like.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a machine which will break the soil, remove the vegetation from the soil, carry the vegetation to the rear or the machine where the vegetation is treated in such a way as to prevent growth of the vegetation and germination of the seeds that may all from the vegetation.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for separating stones from the material as it is passed to the rear oi' the machine, the stone removing means acting to deliver the stones picked up thereby, laterally of the machine where they are deposited on the ground surface.

With the foregoing and other objects in View, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a machine constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2 2 of Figure i.

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken on line 3-3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is a side elevational View of the machine. Y

Figure 5 is an enlarged elevational View illustrating the rear endof the machine.

Figure 6 is a sectional View taken on line 6 6 of Figure 1.

Figure '7 is a sectional view taken on line 7 7 of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a fragmental plan view of the heater used at the rear of the machine.

Figure 9 is a rear elevational View of the heater and carrier ring for carrying the vegetation to a point to deliver the vegetation to the endless conveyors of the heater.

Figure 10 is a side elevational view of the carrier ring.

Figure 1i is a detail view illustrating the gearing for operating the conveyor rollers.

Figure 12 is a sectional view taken on line 12-12 of Figure 9.

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken on line 13-13 of Figure 9.

Figure 14 is an enlarged plan View illustrating a modified form of heater, the cover being shown in section.

iigure 15 is a side elevational View thereof, the cover being shown in section.

Figure 13 is a longitudinal sectional view on line 16-16 or" Figure 14 through a modied form of heater. Y Y

Figure 17 is a view showing the bearing for the rollers for the modied heater in a disassembled position.

Figure 18 is a disassembled View showing one end of a roller and its bearing.

Figure 19 is a sectional view taken on line 19-19 of Figure 14.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the machine comprises a frame indicated generally by the reference character 5, and as shown the frame comprises side bars, the forward ends thereof converging, providing a narrow front portion.

The reference character 6 designates a bearing disposed at the forward end of the machine in which the shaft 7 is mounted, the shaft 7 being formed with a downwardly and laterally extended end .portion 8 providing the axle for the front wheel 9 of the machine.

One end of -theshaft 7 extends upwardly as at 1G providing a crank to which the rod 11 is connected, the rod 11 being also connected with the lever 12 disposed near the operators seat, indicated at 13.

Secured to one side of the frame 5, is a frame 14 which is supplied with a bearing 15 in which the shaft 16 is mounted, the shaft having a downwardly and laterally extended portion providing an axle 17 for the wheel 18.'

The inner end of the shaft 16 extends upwardly as at 19 providing a crank arm to which the rod 20 is connected, the rod 20. being also con- Y nected with the lever 12 so that movement of the lever'will result in a relative movement of the wheels 9 and 18, to raise or lower the front end of the machine, to better adapt 'the machine for its work.

Carried at the forward end of the machine, is a plow 21, mounted at the lower end ofthe plow beam 22 which is pivotally supported at the front 105 end of the frame, at 23.

Pivotally connected with the beam 22 is a link 24 that has connection with the arm. 25 formed at the lower end of the lever 26, with the result that the operator seated on the seat 13, may ad- 110 just the plow 21 vertically to regulate the depth of operation of the plow 21.

The plow 21 is of a novel construction, and as shown the mold board is turned downwardly at 27 to prevent the furrow from turning over and at the same time provide a slide over which the soil may pass'to the endless conveyors of the ma-` chine, to be. hereinafter lmore fully described.

Extending downwardly from the frame of the machine, near the front thereof, are arms 28,'

which arms are formed with bearings at their lower ends to receive the ends of the shaft 29 on which the disks 30 are mounted, the disks 30rbeing pro y vided with pins or teeth 31 to engagethe openings formed along the side edges of the endless conveyor 32, which is constructed of a plurality of pivotally connected plates.

The endless conveyor 32 also passes over' disks` material upwardly toY asecond conveyoiyto ber hereinafter more-fully described.-

Teeth lare; formed on the conveyor 32 and pick up the material dislodged by the plow, to carry thermaterial.'up'wardly.`

Extendingifo'rwardly from the arms 28, are arms'y 36 that have bearings in which the shaft 37 is positioned,.the:shaft 37 being formed with offset portions providing cranksy 38 that connect with theiforks 39.,-which forks operateto separate the vegetation from the soil and deposit the-same on theendless conveyor 32. v

Power. isltransmitted from the shaft 29, to the l"shafti37ythrough thebelt 40, which is shown as operating'overpulleys at the ends of the shafts. Monntedi'nbearings formed in thebearing arms 35, is a shaft 41, which is provided with disks 4:2l

disposedratritskends, whichdisks are provided wit'h. teeth thatengage within openings formed along.=the side edges of the endless conveyor 43,V

theendlessconveyor having its forward vend disposed in a position under the-rearend of the endless conveyor 32, so that material dropping from -the conveyorf32fwill' be picked up by theconveyor.-

43 and carriedfthrough `the machine.

i9o`sts'44v are: bolted to the frame near the inner endg-thereof; and `extend appreciable x distances above the frame where they are provided'with bearings tc .receivetheendsof the'shaft 45 hav-- ing. .disks 46 .provided vwith pinsthatalso engage within-:the openings lat the sides ofthe. endlessl conveyor 43;

A sprocket is mounted on each end of the` shaft 41 and. isdesigned to. receive the chains48 which' alscfmoveovera sprocketmounted :on the shaft 49,'totransmit;movement of the'shaft'49 tothe shaft '41vto operate; the. 'endless conveyor.

Pinions indicated bythe reference characterv 560 are; mounted onfone endl ofthe shaft 49, and

*beendeposited onthe ground surface by the engageith'ering gears51which are secured to the opposite sides of the main or supporting wheel 52. l

Rolls 53-'arrdv54 are mounted 'on the=bearing arms 35,ata pointa'oove the upper end of theendless' conveyorf32', the rolls53 and 54'being formed with in turn-carrieslthe materiall to thestove or :heater at thezrearoflthermachine. I.

vMovement is transmitted from the shaft 41 to the shaft on which the roll 54 is mounted, through the chain 56 operating over sprockets at the ends of the shafts.

A worin conveyor indicated at 57 operates transversely of the machine and is provided to pick up rocks or stones which may pass between therolls ter@ (Slecxt'endr along-the side edges of vthe endless.

conveyors. and vprevent the, material carried throughthe machine byfthe endless conveyors, from passi-ng laterally from .the machine.

Mounted at the rear end of the machine is a heater indicated generally by the reference character 62, the .heater embodyinga frame including vertical guidebars 63-that provide supportsfor the shafts of the endless conveyor operate.

Frames (S4/varev secured to the bearing blocks 63 and move upwardlyA with .the bearing blocks under the .pressure-of the. material passing between the conveyors, and moving downwardly under the action ofthesprings 65 mounted at the -upperend of the. end bars 63.

Shafts f.64 .and 65 on which rolls 66 are mounted, .provide supports for the endless conveyor 67.-whichis. made up ofv a plurality of` pivotally connected sections of sheet metal material. A chute or trough indicated by the refer- 'ence character 63 delivers the material from the lendless conveyor 43. onto the endless conveyor 67. Disposed'above theuppermost endless conveyor 67,is a longitudinally disposed dividing rib 69v arranged `intermediate the side edges of the endless conveyorf67 softhat the material delivered onto the uppermost endless conveyor 67 is conned Yto one side of the endless conveyor.

A curved guard iplate 70 is disposed near one end of the endless conveyor v67and is so arranged that material deposited on the endless conveyor 67 will be carried to one end of the endless conveyor where it will contact with the curved guard plate =70,directing..the material tothe conveyor 71 operating directly under the lower side ofY the.

conveyor 67 in spaced relation therewith.

This conveyorv V71 isalso constructed of a plu- Ythe verticallyrnovable*bearing blocks 63in which rality of pivotallyconnected sheet metal sections, Y

the sheet metal sections being formed with slots f '-72,1to permitheattdpass upwardly throughthe endless conveyor, to contact with the weeds,` or.

vegetation movingA between the conveyors, to

-burn the Vegetation tov a state' toA insure against the germination of the plantsl when they have machine;

Disposed'rdirectly under-the endless conveyor 71, is an endless conveyor L73, and disposed di- Vrectly under the endless conveyor 73 is an endless v. l

conveyor 74. The conveyors 71, 73 andx74 are identical in' construction-rand operate approxiveyors, to direct material from one conveyor to the other conveyor.

Disposed directly below the conveyor 74, is an endless conveyor 7 5 that operates over the shafts 77, the endless conveyor' 76 being provided to direct the material into the chute 78 at the one Vside of the adjacent lower conveyor and car` ried through the machine.

Fuel burners indicated by the reference character 79 are disposed between the upper and lower sides of certain of the conveyors to generate the heat to scorch or burn the vegetation deposited on the conveyor.

The reference character designates a frame mounted at one side of the main frame 5, the frame embodying pairs of arms 81 that have inwardly extended end portions supplied with rollers 82 within which the conveyor 83 is mounted,

the conveyor being Vin the form of a wide cylinder provided with teeth or spikes 84.

As material is fed into the conveyor 83, it isv carried upwardly where the material is dropped into the chute 85 which is substantially wide, and so constructed that material fed into the chute will be delivered into the endless conveyor' 67, to the opposite side of the dividing rib 69, returning Y the material to a position where it will be carried through the stove or heater to further destroy the plant life.

As the material passes from the lowermost conveyor 76, the material passes into the substantially long chute 86, which is of a length to deposit the material in rows at one side of the machine.

The conveyor 83 is provided with a ring gear 87, that is in mesh With the pinion 88 carried at one end of the shaft 89, the shaft 89 being supplied with a sprocket over which the chain 90 operates, which chain also operates over a sprocket mounted on one end of the shaft 91, which in turn is rotated by means of the pinions 92 that are in mesh with the ring gears 51.

As clearly shown by figure 9 of the drawings, the shaft 93 is provided with beveled pinions 94 which are splined on the shaft and arranged in opposite directions, which pinions meshV With pinions 95 carried by the shafts on which the endless conveyors 57, 71, 73, 74, and 76 operate, the shaft 93 receiving its motion through the pinions 95 carried at one end of the shaft 93, and the pinion 96, carried on the inner end of the shaft 89. The pinions 94 are mounted in out out portions formed in the frames 64 to move vertically therewith.

1n order that the material will be held within the conveyor 83 until the material has reached the uppermost point of the conveyor, an endless conveyor 97 is provided. This conveyor operates over the rollers 98 and 99 which are mounted on the arms 100 that extend inwardly from the curved supporting arms 101.

These curved supporting arms provide supports for the arms 102 that in turn support the curved bars 103 on which the rollers 104 are mounted.

The endless conveyor 97 operates over the idle rollers 105, there being provided rollers 106 cooperating with certain of the rollers 105, to hold the endless conveyor 97 in position.

Thus it `will be seen that material will be held into close engagement with the conveyor 83, until it passes to a position where it will be deposited in the chute 85.

Shafts 107 extend from the arms 102, and pass through the curved arms 101, where they are supplied with springs 108.

These springs permit of movement of the curved bars 103 towards and away from the conveyor 83, to compensate for various quantitiesY of material passed through the machine, and at the same time exert a pressure on the material to hold the material into closeengagement with the conveyor 83.

It will of course be understood that the furnace or heater 62 is encased in a suitable casing as clearly shown by Figure 8 of the drawings, the

casing having doors such as indicated at 109, to permit of access to the interior.

In the modified form of the invention as shown by sheets 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings, the heater includes a frame indicated generally by the reference character 110, the frame comprising a lower section 111, and an upper section 112, the upper section being pivotally connected with the lower section 111, by means of the hinges 113.

The frame 110 is connected to the bars 114 that rise from the frame of the machine, the frame 110 being connectedV by means of the plates 115.

Mounted within the upper section 112, are arcuate shaped bearing members 116 that are provided With laterally extended apertured end portions 117 through which the curved rods 118 pass, the curved rods 118 being carried by the movable bearings 119, there being provided coiled springs 120 mounted on the rods 118 and bearing against the end portions 117, to urge the movable bearings 119, to their normal positions.

Pins 121 extend from the bearing member 116, and operate in the elongated openings 122 of the bearings 119, Vthe pins operating to guide the bearings during their movements.

The bearings 119 also embody inwardly extended spaced arms 123 that have their inner surface curved as at 124 to accommodate the ribs 125 of the bearing blocks 126, so that the bearings may move longitudinally of the arms 123, for purposes to be hereinafter more fully described.

At the inner ends of the arms 123, are openings to accommodate the pivot pins 127 thatalso nt within the openings 128 of the end bars of the upper section of the frame.

Elongated openings 129 are formed in the end bars of the upper section of the frame, and accommodate the inwardly extended spaced arms 123, the openings 129 being of lengths to permit the arms 123 to swing vertically.

The bearing blocks 126 accommodate the ends of the shaft 130 on which the roll 131 is mounted. Disposed adjacent to the roll 131, is a roll 132 that cooperates with the roll 131 in feeding material into the frame.

The roll 132 is mounted on the shaft 133, which is journaled in the bearings 134 that slide in the grooves of the spaced bearing arms 135. Coiled springs 136 bear against the bearing blocks 134 and normally urge the roll 132 towards the opposite end of the frame. These rolls 131 and 132, constitute the feed rolls for the modified form of the invention. The heating rolls are indicated by the reference characters 137, 138, 139 and 140, which rolls are provided with bearings 141 which are in the form of collars, the collars being fitted within the bearinggrings .142-that.. are provided with rollers 143. to engagethe bearings,141.

Thus it will be seen vthatdue l to .this construe.- tion, the rolls are rotated freely.

Ribs 144 and 145-extend from `the rings 142,` the ribs of the` rings 142 over which vthe rolls 137 and 139 are mounted, beingdisposed vertically and operating in grooves formed inthe upper and lower bars of. the frame sections, so` that the r1'rro1ls -137 and 139 may. move longitudinally .of

theirarne 110-l while the rings 142 in -which theV the inner. endl. ofthe fra-me and into contact with fvthe roll 140.?.

Upper and lower pressure rolls 149.are mounted in theframe '110, atpoints intermediate the.

ends thereofgand. exert pressureyon the rolls 137 and 140, .to normally. urge the roll 140 against the 3011froll 137.

The lowerrroll :l49is 'urged vupwardly by means.

ofthe spring .1501 that acts against the bearing block 151 cf the roll-.149. Guide plates 152 are disposed between vthe rolls, and. act to direct. ma-

355;.'terial in. thexdirectionof the arrows as indicated .in'Figure 16, to the end that as therclls are'rotated, thematerial. will be fedover the hot rolls, to killptheplantlife to prevent growth of the vegetation.

?: Rotary movement' is transmitted .'toxthe. several rolls, throughthe medium of the sprockets 153` over which Athechains 154 operate,.the chains also operating over sprockets 155 .mountedronl the shaft 133.l Movement of the shaft-'133 is "'="t`ransmitted to the remaining rolls ofthe heater,

through the medium of the chains 156 and 157 .Y

The chain 156 operates over the pulley 158r that is mounted in the bearing159. This bearing 5051459 is seated on the coiled spring 160 to the end that the bearing 159 may.`.move vertically under. the weight .of .thechaim Gas -pipes 161Y extend into. the-=heating rolls,

and are supplied with gas from. a suitable source.

55..;fof supply, through'the pipes 162,- to the end that the heating rolls are heated to -theproper temperature.

Material is .fed .into thechute :163 by lmeans of the endless conveyor 164from where the ma- Yfterialpassesbetween.;the rolls inzthe manner; as

described, .the .materialbeing discharged. into .the chute 165.

The cover. y.for the heater.,v is.l indicated..at...166; and-may be of anyv desired construction..

Havingethus described .the invention .Whatf is SQ claimed ist.

I claim:

1..The combinationwith an agricultural .ma-,A

. chine having. conveyors for f conveying material.. Y from the machine; ofra heaterembodying a plu..- 85.:

rality. of endless conveyors comprising .pVota11y--r connected metallic sections, .burners disposed: bef. 'I tween ithe conveyors, .and said metallic sections having slits to allowheat from;the.burnersf.to.,.y

pass therethrough and burnmaterialonthe1ende-90 s 2. .The combinationuwith an. agricultural?.mae-1, chine Ihaving ;conveyorsx for conveying materiale..- therethrough, :of: a Aheater f includingsa =D1urality..,

of superposed metallic conveyors formed/.Wittig 951e ings;r.n1eans mountednwithilnthe :metallic cone-105;d

veyors for;.directing zheatsthroughlthe. openings s to v'Scorchrmaterialsdeposited' onzthezfconveyors; and a .rotary membenfor receiving scorched Ina-e teralr. from the conveyors; aand.: meansior :fur-1 ther;treatingcthemateeial. afterzthe .material `has=;;.110=1-' passed through the rotary member.

4. rThe: combin'atcniwithfan agricultural-.max-rl olii-ne. haring: .conveyors forkl .conveying .rmaterialpz towardsthe .rear .zoffxthex Inachine,:A cfm. heater.;` mounted at.-=the'.rea1r.-.of'fthe machine,:said.heater embodying endless metallic conveyors arranged-:f one.. above. the other, :means on .the conveyors 'for dividing. theecomleyors.l intoi datera11..passageways,.z means'ioitheatingctlie,conveyorsto .Scorch ma.- terial-xdeposited: thereon, andca .-rotary: member.- a associated witlrthe endlessnconveyors:foivreceivu ing material therefrom :and: further.' treatingimas:

teriali.

5. The-.combinationfwithan agricultural maA chine a.having::a pluralityigof .inclinedw conveyors:- for .carryiugzgnaterial upwardly towards-the rear. a of themachinegoiia heateremounted. at'.tlie-.rea1".zl of thexmachinegaa itrough for..delveringimaterialfx from fthe'. conveyors. :to the hate1-;,i'saidfheater.: embodying a plurality of endlesszmetallic belts; l."

v means forretainingumateiialninithe heater-for.;

a predetermined period;.Y and; meansidisposedead-f. jacent .to the `heaterffor.receiving.material; froms'.; they heater :andvfurthen: treating; lthe materiah WALTER WM MEYER/:r 

